Fiesta Tres - Destination Chicago!

[TheWindyCity]

http://ak.webfetti.com/assets/3dani/1/502.gif



It's time for yet another Tulum.info get-together in Chicago, and all are welcome to attend.
We will be visiting the restaurant of Top Chef Masters WINNER, Rick Bayless, at his Frontera Grill (http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/grill.html)


http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1000052.jpg


The date is Saturday, September 12, 2009, 7:30 P.M.


They have a seasonal menu (http://www.rickbayless.com/menu/layout?id=2) with prices, so check back closer to the time of the fiesta to see what's cookin' at Rick's. And don't forget that his signature Margarita is one of the best in Chicago!
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1000054.jpg


Now is the time to take advantage of some reasonable airfares and meet up with your fellow Tuluminaries for an evening of great food, conversation, and laughs. Come on.....Rick is expecting us!


http://www.zap2it.com/media/photo/2009-05/47103688.jpg (http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/lifestyle-leisure/dining-drinking/rick-bayless-PECLB004211.phototopic#)

[beachreader]

Will Mr. Obama be joining us as well? If so, I might just have to come!

[mayaflya]

Mayaflya and the wife are in! Might stay till Monday and catch a concert the next night too! Thanks for setting this up Windy....4 seats down, only 6 left!

[PhyllisB]

Woohooo! Well, I'll have to miss this one, but I'm glad to hear the mayaflyas will finally get there!

I got to see Obama before! Neener Neener! :D

ps: the steak there is spicy! but everything is yummy!

[minniemex]

Sorry I won't be able to attend either!! We had such a wonderful time on our last trip to Chicago for a meetup!!

http://tulum.info/showthread.php?t=2627&highlight=chicago

[TheWindyCity]

Hey!!!! September 12th is approaching fast! Any more takers? Check out Rick's August menu here (http://www.rickbayless.com/menu/layout?id=2).

[mayaflya]

Hey!!!! September 12th is approaching fast! Any more takers? Check out Rick's August menu here (http://www.rickbayless.com/menu/layout?id=2).

And check out Rick's performance tonight in the finals of Top Chef Masters on Bravo! Go Rick!

[ChicagoCraig]

Geez...the last time we were there we opened the place, and closed it as well!:D

Perhaps.

Has his new place opened up yet? Xoco...heard mid August?

[minniemex]

Shoutout to Bayless as the winner of the first "Top Chef Masters" !!!

[mayaflya]

Shoutout to Bayless as the winner of the first "Top Chef Masters" !!!

There were so many levels on which I enjoyed Rick's win last night...Rick was my first guide to the depth and breadth of Mexican cuisine....Windycity first turned me on to his show in the same time frame that I was falling in love with Mexico...and his show drew me into experiencing not only the food, but also the ancient culture of the Yucatan...it was a revelation, but no surprise, that Rick started out studying anthropology and linguistics in Mexico before turning to food. That appreciation and respect for the whole of the culture really comes through. The judges vindicated that respect and appreciation through their comments and votes.

Rick has also been a major inspiration to me in my own cooking...His low key approach to demonstrating recipes is not technique driven, but flavor driven. In that, he makes his cooking so accessible....nothing is too hard to do...all you need to do is get the right ingredients and balance them properly..He is not a master of knife skills or presentation (no disrespect...but the other chefs had him in those categories)...but when the judges stopped judging to spend a few moments just making guttural sounds in appreciation of his black mole....that was an emotional demonstration of the power of the sense of taste...and a visceral flashback to the experience that Rick himself had that made him decide to be a chef...it was inspiring in that while Rick confessed to needing twenty years to perfect that dish, there was no fundamental barrier to anyone else setting out on that same quest...and creating lots of great food along the way...

And finally, it all comes down to the ticker in my signature....in three weeks I will be eating Rick's food, meeting Windy face to face, and celebrating all that Mexico has been to me over the last three years....I actually had tears in my eyes at the end of the show last night...

[ChicagoCraig]

Mayaflaya, I'm thinking you guys are going to have such a wonderful evening that only Rick being there that night would make it even that much more special.

Enjoy!

[beachreader]

I think you guys could send Rick an e-mail letting him know what the group is about, maybe include a pic or two of food from your trips, and that you hope he'll be in that night and can come out and say hello.

[TheWindyCity]

I'm hoping Rick serves his Oaxacan black mole on the September menu. They are presently offering it at his upscale restaurant next door, Topolobampo, as part of a 5 course tasting menu for $90.

Also, you can't get a table at Frontera Grille on a Friday or Saturday night until November! Guess right now we are sitting pretty!! News Story (http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/1727549,CST-NWS-bayless21.article)

[FITZ]

We always head up to northern something (MI, MN, WI) for a few weeks after Labor Day, so once again can't make another gathering.
Great restaurant choice and I'm sure we'll be treated with great pics.
Have fun!

[Tranquilo Tomas]

How Susan and I would LOVE to join you! Rick Bayless is one of my favorite chefs! I enjoy his enthusiasm for flavorful Mexican cuisine and artful cooking.
Alas, we will be at Red Rocks for the Killers concert, then spending a couple of days in Ft. Collins and Denver hanging out with our two sons.
Lots of good eating in Denver too!
Have a delightful gustatory evening with your fellow Tuluminarios. Buen provecho! Give our love to Alice.
I'll look forward to the dining photos and vivid descriptions of what you ate.

[tbpeaceful]

Have a great time you all! Say hello to Rick and we would love to see some foodie fotos. :wave:

Happy days - T.

[Mindy in Tulum]

Ahh man, You guys are going to have such a great time. I am really missing the food from the United States. Even though I am surrounded by amazing Mexican food. I know that you will all have a great time. No doubt talking about how amazing Tulum is. :) :beerchug: have a blast!!!

[Lynnette]

I am so disappointed not to be with y'all, and to finally meet the Mayaflyas!!! Take lots of photos and enjoy your evening at Rick's. Oh, those icy, smooth margaritas ( my off center, slightly blurred shot says it all - lol), fabulous deserts and the amazing indigenous works of art, set the scene for a wonderful evening with friends!!

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/646061429_Vmdgb-S.jpg

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/646061443_XySkv-S.jpg

http://lynne.smugmug.com/photos/646061459_f77yR-M.jpg

[TheWindyCity]

Thanks everyone....you know we'll be taking a lot of foodie photos. Just hope our wives eyes don't get stuck in the "looking up" position! :p

We are visiting Frontera on Saturday, and going to the U2 concert on Sunday, with a pre-show dinner in Millenium Park. Hope to get a few shots at the concert as well...we'll see!

[beachreader]

Thanks everyone....you know we'll be taking a lot of foodie photos. Just hope our wives eyes don't get stuck in the "looking up" position!



Do you mean this "looking up" position ":rolleyes:"?

Have a great time, everyone!

[mayaflya]

Thanks for all the good wishes..I've been on the road today and away from my computer, trying to wrap up work to take an extra day off on Monday. Home tonight to pack with U2 on the stereo! The wife and I are excited to be flying out tomorrow AM to the bright lights of the windy city. I can't imagine a more amazing weekend, meeting Windy and Alice...eating at Frontera and hearing U2 live....all bucket list stuff! Windy and I will have to work out the protocol on how to "trip report" this event....seeya next week!

[beachreader]

I'm all tingly about you guys meeting for the first time! This is so cool, the internet can be an amazing place. :)

[TheWindyCity]

The Tulum.info Fiesta Tres - Chicago was a great evening! Finally, after what began as simple information sharing in 2006 (after Alice and I made our first trip to Tulum, and wrote about it on TripAdvisor.com) between Mayaflya and myself, continued on into an evening where we finally met after 3 years of postings, PMing, and emails! Over the years, Mayaflya has shared his insights on travel, and also shared his great knowledge of wines, making Alice and I appreciate the grape even that much more. We also share a mutual interest in food and cooking, as well as the Mexican culture that has brought us together.

Alice and I picked up the Maya's at Chicago's Fairmont Hotel. This was the first time we met the Mayas, and it was surreal, after three years of never actually speaking verbally. We knew a lot about one another, and now we finally met! The hotel driveway was very busy, so we drove off and gave them a great taste of Michigan Avenue traffic, sights and sounds. We made it to Rick Bayless' Frontera Grille in about 20 minutes of what should be a 5 minute drive. But the weather has been perfection, and I was glad they were here to experience Chicago at this ideal time of year. The streets were packed with tourists and shoppers everywhere. Way to go -- stimulate our economy!

Frontera was filled up, as it perpetually is, especially now that Rick has earned the title of Top Chef Master on Bravo TV. The waiting time for a table is about 3 months!! I made the reservations in July, before Rick's adventure on Bravo, so we were really lucky.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020354.jpg

We checked in with the hostess, and Rick's wife, Deanna was there, keeping everything flowing. We went to the bar to order margaritas, and wait to be called to our table. The restaurant is decorated with fine Mexican folk art that Rick buys on his frequent trips to Mexico

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020356.jpg

After ten minutes, we were called to our table. We started with a few appetizers. Not an easy thing because the appetizer menu is a bit extensive, with so many good choices, you don't know what to get. Our waiter was a tremendous help. We started with the
Sopes Rancheros: crispy corn masa boats with savory shredded beef, roasted tomatoes, avocado and homemade fresh cheese.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020357.jpg

We also ordered the Enchiladas de Chivo: homemde tortillas rolled around Pleasant Meadows braised goat. Red chileajo sauce, crispy onions, dry Jack cheese, cilantro. These were incredibly delicious!

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020358.jpg

The last appetizer was the ceviche Trio, Trio, Trio: a sampling of Ceviche Fronterizo, Ceviche Yucateco and Ceviche de Atun "Chamoy. Here is a breakdown of what each contains.:
Ceviche Fronterizo: lime-marinated Hawaiian blue marlin with tomatoes, olives, cilantro, jicama and green chile; served on crispy tostaditas.
Ceviche de Atun "Chamoy:sashimi-quality Hawaiian ahi tuna tossed with crunchy jicama and tangy, fruity, spicy red chile-apricot chamoy salsa. Almond crunch.
Ceviche Yucateco: steamed organic shrimp and calamari tossed with lime, orange, habanero, avocado, jicama and cilantro
This is just a shame to eat...it's such a work of art:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020359.jpg


All of that art and eating made us thirsty, so we ordered another round of drinks. We ordered the classic Topolo Margarita: Sauza Conmemorativo tequila, Gran Torres liqueur and housemade limonada, shaken at the table

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020360.jpg

And poured right before your eyes

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020361.jpg

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh....Ohhhh yeah

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020362.jpg

We conversed and caught up as we waited for our entrees, and just enjoyed our surroundings. The restaurant makes you feel very comfortable (OK, the margaritas make you feel very comfortable!)

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020374.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020375.jpg

Our entrees arrived. Alice ordered the Pollo al Mojo de Ajo: adobo-marinated Gunthorp chicken breast, cooked over the coals, with a rich blend of slow-cooked garlic, olive oil and morita chile. Roasted Nichols Farm German butterball potatoes, grilled green onions, heirloom tomatoes.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020365.jpg

The chicken was very moist, and the sauce was very flavorful

I ordered the Carne Asada a la Oaxaquena: Creekstone Natural Black Angus rib steak, marinated in spicy red chile and wood- grilled, served with black beans, sweet plantains with sour cream, and guacamole.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020363.jpg

Wow...what a tender steak! Cooked medium, and the char flavor and chile rub was perfection! The fried plantains had my mind drifting over to Huevo Moltulenos in Tulum, which is always the accompaniment. I had to snap myself back to Chicago real quick!

Where was I...oh yes...Mrs. Maya ordered the Pato en Manchamanteles: wood-grilled adobo-marinated Gunthorp duck breast in nut-thickened red chile sauce. Pineapple-and-chorizo-flavored tamalon, frisee-watercress salad

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020366.jpg

This is a favorite mole, more fruit driven than pepper driven, and so great with duck.
I completely missed getting a photo of what Mayaflya ordered. It was the pork Poc Chuc, so I'll have to leave that to him.

After dinner, our table was cleared and we ordered a few desserts. So what the heck do we all look like? Here we are

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020367.jpg

After dinner, Alice and I ordered a few Cafe de Olla. I forgot that the dessert menu is not online, and I never took a photo of it, so I'll have to remember the descriptions of what we had.

Alice and I ordered a pastry stuffed with sweet Mexican chocolate, housemade raspberry ice cream, with fresh raspberries in sauce on the side - oh sweet Lord...what a fine finish to an excellent meal:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020372.jpg

Mrs.Mayaflya ordered a blueberry bread pudding with a peach - blueberry salsa, and homemade raspberry ice cream

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020370.jpg

Mayaflya ordered a trio of the all housemade ice cream sampler, of which I cannot remember the flavors, with a side of cajeta

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020371.jpg

It was a a great meal, enjoying the cuisine that we love, including a few Yucatecan dishes. We were satisfied with our evening at Frontera

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020376.jpg

It was such an ideal evening, that we decided to take a walk to a bar about three blocks away. The streets were vibrant with nightlife, from the bachlorette party girls and limos lined up in front of The Baton...a female impersonator bar, to a few Irish pubs and sports bars featuring very live bands, piano bars, and trendy clubs, and bucket boys. We walked over to Shaw's Crab House, a 40's style restauarant, to have a nightcap at their bar. Mayaflya and I had a glass of a Rodney Strong Pinot Noir, and Mrs. Mayaflya and Alice had a pomegranate martini, one of the better ones in the city

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020377.jpg

And that concluded our evening and our first "live" meeting. We enjoyed getting to know each other better and looked forward to our meet up tomorrow. We will get together for dinner before the big U2 - 360 Tour concert in town. U2 kicks off their American tour in Chicago for two nights......stay tuned for a follow up report soon for Day Two - the Fiesta continues>>>

[beachreader]

I'm sorry I missed such a great evening, and meeting all of you guys would have been awesome, but I'm SO glad it turned out to be a private dinner for just the four of you! It's so cool that your love of travel, and the internet, brought you together; I'm sure you'll be "real-life" friends forever now.

Thanks for sharing your dinner with all of us!

[mayaflya]

For everyone that's been dying to know what it's like to be there in person...a shot of the master at work.....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3923253921_25f7392d37_o.jpg

and the missing shot....poc chuc de puerco with an amazing black bean soup....Windy inherited the habanero salsa from my order!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3923247623_4cfc198b77_o.jpg

I'll be working on a trip report...so stay tuned on the TR channel. Windy and I divided the reporting chores...he's handling the event report and since our visit was a trip...I'm making a trip report...Watch for "A Tale of Two Cities"...

[TheWindyCity]

For everyone that's been dying to know what it's like to be there in person...a shot of the master at work.....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3923253921_25f7392d37_o.jpg



And if this shot was a video, you'd see Alice's fingers patiently strumming the table while you and I held up the meal! Your photo caught her hand in mid-strum:p

Thanks for filing the gap!

[Mindy in Tulum]

It all looks so amazing. The food, the company... THE MARGARITA!!! I am so glad that you got to meet. A little surreal. The whole places looks wonderful-- I can see why such high honors for the chef.

[dionski]

Windy,

you mean you don't use your Digital SLR with the 80-200 Zoom for those food shots! If you did you would probably have more that just finger tapping.:rolleyes:

Looks like a great restaurant and time.

How was U2? I understand they have a massive stage

d2

[PhyllisB]

Oh, what a great night!!!!!! Thanks for the report, Steve. I can just picture the hustle and bustle of Michigan Ave.... and I know exactly the kind of great September weather you're talking about. Love September in Chicago!

Looking forward to the next installment! :D

[tbpeaceful]

WOW! I can feel the good karma clear out here! ~ So nice.

Happy days - T.

[minniemex]

Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time!! Can't wait for the rest of the reports from the both of you!!

[beachreader]

your photo caught her hand in mid-strum:p




:d:d:d:d:d

[TheWindyCity]

Windy,

you mean you don't use your Digital SLR with the 80-200 Zoom for those food shots! If you did you would probably have more that just finger tapping.:rolleyes:

No...when we're doin' the town, I take my point and shoot Panasonic TZ5. It keeps the peace!

Looks like a great restaurant and time.

How was U2? I understand they have a massive stage
Oh yeah...massive it was...stay tuned...the show was awesome!

d2 .....

[Lynnette]

It looks fabulous, Steve....as always great food shots!!!! Oh those deserts look yummy. That little TZ5 is wonderful. I love this shot, Maya1 :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3923253921_25f7392d37_o.jpg

And a great shot of y'all!!!

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020367.jpg

[Tranquilo Tomas]

You Chicago kids know how to party! A fabulous meal at La Frontera AND a U2 concert! I'm only slightly jealous . . .
Thanks for sharing your evening with those of us in cyberland.
Until we meet again in the Yucatan mis amigos. . .

[Margoinmexico]

This is just a shame to eat...it's such a work of art:


NO FOOD OR DRINK IS TOO PRETTY TO EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!




http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020376.jpg

>>>

:wave:Fun report! Good to see you Windy and Alice looks beautiful as ever........and nice to meet you Maya y Maya2!!! Can't wait to hear about the concert.........you know what a music fan I am!!!!!!!! Steve and Maya, I do hope you loose the jackets for U2!!!

Peace,

[mayaflya]

Steve and Maya, I do hope you loose the jackets for U2!!!

Margo, you are forgetting who you are talking to....you'll be lucky if we STOP at the jackets!

[beachreader]

:eek::D:D:D Oh boy, I guess Bono might have been in for a surprise!

[TheWindyCity]

On Sunday, we made plans to meet for dinner before the U2 show. We met in Millenium Park, under Cloud Gate (to Chicago, it's The Bean, and maybe for Tuluminaries, El Frijole Grande!), at The Park Grill

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020378.jpg

It was another beautiful day, and would be a perfect night for an outdoor concert. Mayaflya bought a couple of great wine choices from a Chicago wine shop, from vineyards he's toured in California. Park Grill had "corkage fee free Sunday" that Maya discovered from their website.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020380.jpg

Both were excellent choices. Maya has great taste in wine and I respect his palate!

For starters, Alice and I split a Wisconsin Beet Salad - watercress, goat cheese fondant and spiced pecan brittle with a sherry beet vinaigrette - really light and tasty. The goat cheese went so well with the wine.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020381.jpg

My entree was what I had raved about to Mayaflya on numerous occasions. If you're a visitor to the city, it's a must eat! It's the Peppercorn Crusted Kobe Burger - gorgonzola, balsamic grilled onions, grain mustard, on a pretzel roll.


http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020382.jpg

It's one of the best in the city...look at this sweet mama jama

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020383.jpg



Alice's entree was the Wild Alaskan Salmon Burger - teriyaki glazed, wasabi aioli, with bok choy coleslaw. Excellent choice!

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020384.jpg

For dessert, we wanted something chocolatey to go with the wine. The waitress suggested the Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart - with roasted banana and peanut brittle.
What a presentation, and a perfect dessert. I'd almost be happy just to look at this for a while and not destroy it - almost.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020385.jpg

and the runway shot

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020386.jpg


After dinner, we took a stroll through some of the park, past the Crowne Fountain

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020387.jpg

and thru the Lurie Garden. Incidently, the City Seal of Chicago contains the Latin words, Urbs in Horto - meaning City in a Garden, and I offer proof

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/ChicagoFoodPics/P1020389.jpg

We tried to catch a cab to the show, which was only ten minutes away, but every cab was full. We hunted at different corners, and still, every cab was full with people heading in the direction of the concert. I think we must have watched 40 cabs go by!! Finally, we got one, and headed to Soldier Field for the show, only to be caught in the masses of the cabs that passed us by. We made it to the venue and snagged a few overpriced tee shirts and took our seats.

The stage was MASSIVE, resembling a giant claw or spider. It's 164 feet tall, and takes over 200 people to assemble. The show started with David Bowie's "Space Oddity" - how appropriate!

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020392.jpg

There were full sound systems on EACH of the four sides, and it was tremendous! After the first act left the stage, assemblies holding three seats and three spotlights came down from each corner, and workers got into the baskets, which then rode back up into the far upper corners of the "claw".

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020393.jpg

So I guess U2 needs twelve spots lights! This is just to give you an idea of the excessiveness of it all...they spared no expense to bring the fans a great show. Three stages are built and travel ahead of time to the venues.

Well, it was five minutes to show time, and there was a lot of excitement in the air. Maya's hard work paid off with some great seats

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020396.jpg

Finally, the band walked through the labyrinth of stairs and side doors to the stage...here's The Edge and Bono on their way to work

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020397.jpg

And the crowd was pleased!

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020413.jpg

Bono sending a shout out to Tulum.info

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020406.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020405.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020420.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020425.jpg

And at the encore, Bono asked all to take out their cell phones...it looked so cool

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x216/TheWindyCity/Misc2009/P1020446.jpg

Here's a video I shot of one of our favorite songs, old school style - Until The End of the World

Video - U2 - UTEOTW (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-zCPC5pyj4)

It was a tremendous show that we all really enjoyed! Afterwards, we headed out and walked with the Mayas to the bus stop, as Alice and I headed for the subway. It was great to finally meet for two days after 3 years of photos and online chat. I'm sure we'll meet up again someday!

[PhyllisB]

HOOOOOLY! What a stage! That is so cool!

Just a fantastic weekend you guys. Steve, I love your pics of Chicago!

[minniemex]

You guys had a great plan and it all came together so perfectly!! How exciting a weekend for all four of you!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

I just need to ask, how much does a "Kobe beef burger" cost??

[minniemex]

You guys had me really confused for a moment, posting the same thing in two different locations:D. Not hard to do sometimes.........

[letele]

I'm so glad you got to meet and enjoy such a fantastic weekend! The show looked great (the stage definitely looked like a giant crab leg to me!) and all the food looked so yummy. Gotta make it to Frontera next time I'm up there!

Windy, I always love your Chicago posts - they renew my determination to move there someday! Especially loved the gardens pic...such a great little spot away from the hustle and bustle.

[mayaflya]

I just need to ask, how much does a "Kobe beef burger" cost??

Not as much as you'd think...$18....It's like I told Steve, "they got to do something with the lips and hooves of a Kobe cow...."

[minniemex]

Not as much as you'd think...$18....It's like I told Steve, "they got to do something with the lips and hooves of a Kobe cow...."

Not funny.........:beerchug:

But you are right ~ that is not too much!! I would have thought much more.

[beachreader]

Not as much as you'd think...$18....It's like I told Steve, "they got to do something with the lips and hooves of a Kobe cow...."


Kobe beef has been getting cheaper and cheaper lately. I think there might be some other kind of "kobe" on the market, or maybe it's just that domestic breeders are now working with kobe cattle and since it's not coming from Japan it's cheaper? I don't know, but there's a low-market pub around here with a "kobe burger" on their menu for like $10. :D

Still, it looks like a great burger, whatever it's made of!

[TheWindyCity]

Letele: You'll have to make it up to the next Chicago get together! Spend a few days here and we'll be happy to join you at Frontera!

Minnie and Beachreader: Yeah, I've been chastised by my co-workers for spending $18 on a burger, but I don't argue with folks who don't get it! They have no idea what they are missing.

I saw a special on cable as to what makes Japanese Kobe beef - and you will not believe it if I told you, so here's a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSU5Iu9Z9qI) - The cattle remind me of ME at the Maya Spa in Tulum :o!

[tbpeaceful]

That is way too funny!!! I was going to say that it is very expensive because it is also grown in the beautiful Rockies very near to me, but after watching them drink cervesas at the spa, I think that must be where the expense is realized.

Poor cows, I think those were moos of pleasure ?!? :eek::eek:

(I'm quite sure the lips and hooves are shipped overseas tho.)

Yes, they are also being grown here at home now as well.:earth:
Those burgers looked great even to someone who doesn't usually enjoy meat.

Happy days - T.